"Draco Malfoy?" he asked as they worked what could barely be considered a dance around the other pairs on the floor.

"Yes, well, Voldemort was otherwise engaged for the evening, so..."

"Blimey, Ginny," he laughed, swinging her away and then pulling her back. His hand caught her waist and they continued in a shuffle around the makeshift floor.

"Have I apologized yet?"

"Only about a thousand times since he got here."

"I promised myself that this would be the one wedding I didn't screw up."

"Well, you still have Ron's left to try for the perfecta." They laughed simultaneously at the thought of Ron getting married. He was still currently brewing in anger by his lonesome self in the kitchen. The brothers had given up trying to talk to him, and Harry was so mad at being punched that he wouldn't even step foot near the house.

"I know how nervous you were about today, and I don't know how I will ever make this up to you."

"Oh please. Luna was beside herself watching Ron try to win a fight. One of these days, he might get lucky, and someone might fall unconscious onto him." She laughed, but it made her want to cry at the same time.

"It's your wedding, George."

"Today wasn't for me, and you know it. I just got tired of Mum's constant referral of my poor 'out of wedlock' daughter. Do you know how long it took me to convince Luna to get married?"

"I kind of thought she had to convince you."

"Heavens no. I didn't care one way or another. But the whole procession of marriage seems so trivial to her that she didn't want to bother with the whole nonsense. So at least we got a story out of it if nothing else."

"Hmm. I have this nagging feeling that you're just trying to make me feel better, but I am going to take it because I need a victory today and this is as close as I'm going to get."

"Have I thanked you?"

She laughed. The song ended, but the next one began and they continued to dance. "For ruining your special day that you are supposed to remember forever? I don't think anyone has thanked me for that yet. Certainly haven't gotten Percy's letter in the post yet."

"For coming and joining me at the shop when Ron bailed. You single-handedly saved the shop, Ginny, and I don't think you realize what that sacrifice means to me. I know I don't tell you nearly enough."

"It was no big deal, George. Honest."

"It was. It is. And the fact that you brush it off only makes me feel worse about it. You gave up your dream to keep mine alive, and I'll never be able to repay you for that. You could crash a million family weddings and it would never matter to me. Mum, maybe, but not me. If you ask me, none of us have the right to give a flying flip who you date, so long as you're happy. You deserve to be happy."

"Stop it," she said as she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. "I didn't have time to do my makeup proper, and if I start to cry this crap is going to run all down my face. I look a mess enough as it is.

"It's not just your dream, George. It's a part of you. And it's a part of me now too." She couldn't bring herself to say that it was a part of Fred, but she knew he was thinking it as well. She could see the tears welling in the corners of his eyes. To give up Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes would be to give up the last tangible part of their brother they had left, and they would never be able to do that.

"I love you, Gin. And by George," his lame attempt at a pun made her chuckle, "if you love that Draco Malfoy, well then, that's that in my mind."

"I never said I love him. Let's not get crazy here."

"Right, because you would just bring any run of the mill date to the Weasley circus. Shit, you'd better go. Dad's on the approach, and Draco doesn't look armed."

"Right then," Ginny extended to her tip toes to give her brother a quick peck on the cheek. "Happy eternal bliss and all that nonsense." She could have sworn she heard him laughing as she bobbed and weaved through the couples on the dance floor.

"Dad," she gasped as she approached him just as he reached the table Malfoy had ostracized himself to.

"Just coming over to introduce myself to your gentleman caller."

Ginny dropped herself into the chair next to Draco. "I believe you've already met," Ginny replied.

"Ginny," her father warned. Though his voice wasn't as stern as her mother's and he didn't use her given name, the way he said it made her feel like a young child in trouble just the same.

"Father," she rebutted, matching his tone to the tee.

"Draco Malfoy, sir," he cut in, extending a hand to her father as he rose from his chair. Arthur turned to Ginny as if to question if she thought her gentleman caller suitable of a handshake.

As the time stretched on, Ginny leaned forward, "For the love of England, Father, please just shake his hand."

"Ginny," her father warned again just as Malfoy snapped, "Weasley."

Her dad extended his hand and shook Draco's. "Arthur Weasley."

"It's good to finally meet you under a... well, less hostile situation."

"What are your attentions with my daughter, son?"

"Dad!"

"Do you plan on marrying her? Because, need I remind you, she is our only daughter. We are going to be a little pickier on our future son-in-law than we were on our daughters-in-law."

"Dad, please, I beg of you. Just walk away."

"I'm going to make a loop," he waved his finger around in a circle in the air, "to give this young man some time to think about his answer. But I will be back." He left without further ado.

Ginny waited until she was sure he was out of earshot before she turned to Draco and grabbed his lower arm on the table. "Slutty wedding sex."

"What?" he sputtered, caught off guard.

"You want to go see my childhood room?"

"Weasley."

"One time offer, and it has a time limit."

"I am not going to have sex with you in the room you grew up in with your entire family home. Have you lost your mind? I thought Ron was just raving, but maybe he was on to something."

"Look, you toughed it out. You met my family. Can we leave now?"

"I haven't even met Bill or Percy yet."

"Eh," she answered with a shrug, "I'm not that close to them anyway, it's fine."

He stood and brought her to her feet. "Finally, you and I are thinking on the same wave – whoa, exit is that way," she pointed towards the front of the house as he dragged her in the opposite direction. "No. No, no, no," she protested as he dragged her onto the dance floor.

Taking her hand in his, he held it up at shoulder height while he placed his other hand on her waist. "Relax, Weasley," he said as he placed his jaw against the side of her head, "it's not going to get any worse than what Ron did."

"I think you are underestimating my family."

He pulled her closer, swaying slowly to the music. "I think you need to relax."

"Why are you so relaxed?" she countered. "I may be the irrational one, but you are the one who can't keep his shit together when he's not in control of a situation."

"Oh, well, yes. I consumed copious amount of alcohol before I showed up. My buzz hasn't completely worn off yet. Besides, who's to say I'm not in control?"

"You showed up drunk to meet my family? Are you completely daft?"

"Of all my personal traits, I think that is the one they cared about least today. Besides, I hardly think you have any right to judge me for getting drunk. If I recall correctly, two years ago you were the one that showed up at my apartment barely able to stand up she was so pissed."

"Still..." she closed her eyes as she rested her head against his shoulder. "And I wasn't that drunk."

"See, not so bad," he whispered against her ear a while later. "Only half the people are staring."